The 2024 Esports World Cup continues its historic and promising multi-game tournament, and with it the Gaimin Gladiators made another remarkable feat for the thousands of esports and Dota 2 fans across the globe; becoming the first ever Esports World Cup Dota 2 champions.

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Known previously as Gamers8, the Gaimin Gladiators showed a small instance of defeat in last year's Saudi Arabian event, through a dominating 2023 season, falling just short after several major event victories. Riyadh showed a small glimmer of hope for the rest of the Dota 2 professional ecosystem, though 2024’s Esports World Cup would welcome a different Gladiator, looking to get their first major victory this 2024 season, and hopeful inceptive world cup champion. As the Gladiators Dota 2 roster competed tooth and nail throughout the month long, 22 game esports event; the finale for the Gaimin Gladiators came with a historic victory and indescribable dominance shown early and throughout, welcoming back the true Gladiator dominance the fans and faithful have come to know.

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Below we detail our 2024 Esports World Cup Dota 2 journey, and our path to becoming Esports World Cup Dota 2 Champions.

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Group Stage

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The stage was set, after the initial Play-In Stage successfully introduced the qualifying teams, group stage play took place starting the Gaimin Gladiators Dota 2 tournament, matching them with the best in Dota 2’s esports ecosystem. Slated for Group A play alongside OG, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, Aurora, LGD Gaming, Blacklist International and Heroic; The group stage provided a tough task competing against noteworthy opponents including TI12’s winners - Team Spirit, and 2024 major winners and #1 ranked Team Falcons. The first act was established, marking the beginning of the Gladiators tournament life,introducing a tightly contested two-game series with many teams narrowly avoiding devastating defeat. After an opening series 0-2 defeat by the hands of Heroic, the Gladiators slowly pushed back taking a necessary 2-0 sweep over #1 ranked Team Falcons, and underdog Blacklist International. The remaining series’ all finished in 1-1 series ties common in bo2 matchplay, which kept Gaimin Gladiators in good seeding for Upper Bracket contention. Once the Group Stage was settled the Gladiators finished 3rd overall with a sustainable 8-6 scoreline, marching their way from a grueling, back and forth tournament start to upper bracket qualification. Though nothing of spectacular noteworthy sort, the Gladiators made their way to the playoff portion, and with an extra life on the line - looked to turn on the jets, and make a playoff run they’ve come to strive in.

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Playoffs

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Gaimin Gladiators VS  Entity (Upper Bracket Quarter Final)

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Marching onward to the upper bracket, Gaimin Gladiators welcomed their first line of defense, a matchup with Entity, an on the rise Play-In team that made early waves as a contender during the group stage portion of play. Finishing second overall and with an impressive 11-3 group stage play record; the Gladiators looked to have a team that was ignited on all cylinders and in form to make a run at the world cup. This however wouldn’t come to fruition for the Western European Entity roster, as the Gladiators playoff buff looked to sparkle in every facet. In quick succession the Gladiators disposed of Entity quickly and in true form, winning out the best of three series, 2-0 and in impressive fashion. 

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Though impressive, the Gladiators looked to compete against another juggernaut in the bracket, matching up against their previous group A competitor - Team Falcons in a best of three Upper Bracket Semi-Final for the taking.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Team Falcons (Upper Bracket Semi-Final)

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Though the early stage group stage portion didn't start on a positive footing for Team Falcons; the roster turned their early stage downfall into immaculate growth. Starting in an unprecedented 1-5 start, the highly remarked roster changed  tune, sweeping their remaining 4 series’ 2-0, ending with the #1 group A seed. Though the teams previous series came in the tournament’s early beginnings, Gaimin Gladiators looked to keep pace, and replicate their group stage win over the highly competitive Team Falcons roster. The Upper Bracket Semi-Final provided a competitive three game series, all showcasing very one sided results. Thankfully after a quick game one loss, the Gladiators fought back, taking games two and three with quick dominance. In swift fashion the Gladiators took the series 2-1, and continued their path throughout the bracket, making top 4, and the necessary club points for the organization. 

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Next up, a tale as old as time over the past few years of competitive Dota; a match-up with rival Team Liquid and a spot in the Grand Finale.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Team Liquid (Upper Bracket Final)

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Often seen throughout 2023 and in various moments this 2024 season, the rivalry added another mark on the Western European adversaries in their paths to becoming Esports World Cup champions. Seen at many points throughout 2023 including TI12, and in major grand finals over years past; the Gladiators hoped to continue their dominance over their European counterpart. Team Liquid; a consistent formidable foe, looked fine tuned, after a respectable 9-5 group stage performance, and with victories over Team Spirit and Tundra Esports, the rivalry looked to be a close one; however the Gaimin Gladiator dominance looked to reign supreme. Upper Bracket Final was Gaimin Gladiators playing ground, maintaining strong early aggression often regarded as a key strength for the Gladiator roster. In 33 minutes alike, the Gladiators disposed of their European counterpart, continuing their impressive playoff ascendancy. 

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Grand Finals were reached, and the Gladiators looked to return to peak 2023 Gaimin Gladiators play; a team who dominated the world throughout the years competitive slate. Though impressive, the first victory in 2024 was just around the corner, and the Gladiators didn’t let up in the slightest. After powering over what was the best in the world over Saudi Arabian backed Team Falcons, and the always contending Team Liquid; the Gladiators couldn’t be stopped, and the Lower Bracket Final winning Team Liquid, stood little chance in the Grand Finals once again.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Team Liquid (Grand Final)

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Last year's 2023 major system was a historic feat for Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid with differentiating results sloped time and time again the Gladiators' way. Winning the Lima Major 3-0, the Berlin Major 3-1 and the Bali Major 3-1; the Gladiators looked to continue their Grand Final dominance over Team Liquid, and in another historic first; Esports World Cup Champion. The stage was set in Riyadh, and with the exceptional Gold plate ready to be lifted, and the prize winnings ready to be distributed, the battlegrounds commenced, and the Gladiators never gave them a chance. After an early game one victory consisting of impressive early game adaption and careful coordination, the offensive and oppressive Gladiator line-up took the early first blood. Game two was a back and forth brawl, with both teams taking quick action over one another, fighting for every inch. Yet as close as it seemed, the Gladiators turned the tide, taking several back to back teamfight victories, leading them to strong gold advantages and a strong map state - eventually leading to a game 2 victory, brawly and chaotic in nature. With the sights of a 2024 victory in close acquisition, the Gladiators smelled blood, and maintained strong aggression resulting in Liquid’s downfall. With strong early game rotations, immaculate coordination and teamfight consistency, the Gladiators gave Team Liquid no chance, shattering their dreams of becoming champions. 

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After 30 minutes, the series was over, the Gaimin Gladiators once again reigned supreme, lifting up the Gold plated trophy, indicating the first ever winners of the Esports World Champions of Dota 2. After making their mark on Riyadh, and the inaugural Esports World Cup, the triangle marking placed on the totem, left the final indicator of the Gaimin Gladiators impressive feat, leaving behind a final remembrance of what was accomplished in the path of some of the finest Dota 2 teams to walk on stage. We congratulate our team on a historic victory, and look forward to their competitive matches later this year at the International 2024. 

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The Esports World Cup is not finished just yet, so stay locked into all our competitive rosters, looking to set their path to ultimate glory.

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For more information on the Gaimin Gladiators organization, all our professional esports teams and Esports World Cup summaries, stay tuned here for recaps, blogs and content in all our esports ventures. Thank you for reading.  #AgainstAllOdds

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